Q & A from Pre-Conference Briefings
Restructuring | Budget | Pensions and Health Benefits | Disaffiliation
Other Stewardship Questions | Resolutions | Other Questions
The following are questions asked at the Pre-Conference sessions on May 18. The answers, about the restructuring recommendations, disaffiliation procedures, stewardship and several of the resolutions are provided below.
Discipleship Council - Restructuring
Q: Why is the realignment/restructuring not coming before us as a resolution? Don’t our rules require it to be in a resolution allowing us to understand it more fully?
A: The Rules Chair and Conference Secretary asked that the recommendations come in the form of a Report. It could have come before the session in either format. However, bringing it as a report from the Discipleship Council allows it to be presented more clearly and completely than a series of resolutions. However, members can amend the report and vote it up or down.
Q: Did the Rules Committee review this?
The Rules Committee has been consulted along the way. As of May 20, they had not voted either concurrence or non-concurrence on the Discipleship Council’s recommendations for restructuring. However, its work is on-going.
Q: What role will the Connectional Table play in this restructuring?
The Connectional Table voted concurrence with the plan. They will maintain their current function.
Q: Why is there a representative for the Wesley Covenant Association on the Discipleship Council?
There isn't a representative for the Wesley Covenant Association on the Discipleship Council. The Connectional Table (CT) requested that representatives from three additional caucuses be included on the CT. They include BWARM, a local version of Methodists for Reconciling Ministries; the Wesley Covenant Association; and Methodist Federation for Social Action. The Discipleship Council was amenable to this request.
Q: What about DC-MD Justice for Our Neighbors as a ministry of the BWC?
MD Justice for Our Neighbors, Inc. (DC-MD JFON) is a non-profit organization established to provide free, high-quality immigration legal services and a warm welcome to immigrants in congregations and communities. DC-MD JFON advocates for immigrants on issues of social justice, encourages cross-cultural community building and promotes education for ministry. In 2019, $77,000 was budgeted by the BWC to support this ministry. That same figure is in the requested budget for 2020. As such, it is a ministry of the BWC and is an ex-officio member of the Advocacy and Action Board.
Budget
Q: Since CFA is concerned about the collection rate, why not lower the staff pay increase of 2.5 percent to 2 percent, in keeping with the pastors’ minimum salary recommendation?
A: The staffing line item receives a 2.5 increase. The plan is for conference staff to receive a 2 percent increase. The additional increase (the extra 0.5 percent) is used for salary-related expenses.
Q: Are churches in the BWC withholding funds because of the vote for the Traditional Church Plan?
A: No, at present no church has indicated to their district superintendent or other conference leaders that they are withholding money for political or theological reasons. Churches that have fallen short in their mission shares say those shortages are due almost entirely to circumstances in their congregations.
Q: If there are potential cost savings in the risk management plan, why aren’t some of these savings included in the existing budget?
A: These potential savings are meant to be used to manage risk. Most of them are dramatic measures that can be acted upon quickly, as needed. Some of the measures are dramatic and suggested only to address a potential crisis.
Q: What is the budget breakdown spent on leadership development? For New Faith Expressions?
A: Funding for Leadership Development and New Faith Expressions, which includes grants to new and existing churches, starting new churches, and Board of Ordained Ministry and Certified Lay Ministry expenses, total $1,501,102. In the detailed budget, $556,102 is slated for Leadership and $945,000 will go to New Faith Expressions. Details of the proposed budget are online at bwcumc.org/events/annual-conference/stewardship-budget-recommendations-resolutions.
Pensions and Health Benefits
Q: What does it mean to transfer the forbearance to the mortgage when it relates to arrearages in Pension and Medical payments?
A: This is essential a lien put on church property. At some point in the future, if a church ceases to exist and the church is sold, the money owed to the conference will be paid before other assets are processed.
Disaffiliation
Q: If a church disaffiliates, does that also mean its pastor does?
A: No. A pastor may choose to stay in the denomination, or leave the denomination, but that is a separate process from disaffiliation.
Q: Is disaffiliation for congregations who wish to secede from the UMC? Is it for those who oppose inclusion of LGBTQIA+ or those who support it? If the Traditional Plan is voted in, are those who leave to be the progressive voices?
A: It is not a question of “if.” Portions of the Traditional Plan did pass and go into effect Jan. 1, 2020. The disaffiliation plan is meant for those who oppose the church’s position on LGBTQIA people that passed as part of the Traditional Plan and for people who theologically oppose actions of their annual conference.
Other Stewardship Questions
Q: What is the status of IRS legality on the Housing Exclusion Resolutions in the courts of law?
A: It is still legal. The ruling was appealed in Wisconsin and our standards relating to housing allowance were upheld.
Q: When will the audit of the financial statements for 2018 be completed?
The audit is complete and was voted on by CFA on May 22.
Resolutions
1. Common Table
Q: If an event that is required to serve allergy free elements fails to do so, is the Conference open to liability because they working bread is serve and makes someone sick?
A: That is a possibility, but it seems unlikely. The resolution maker encourages members to move ahead and care for one another.
2. Supporting Deliberations for New Expressions of Methodism
Q: What do you want this resolution to do? What is the goal?
A: Conference members are already making progress, talking honestly with one another and ensuring everyone has a say. This resolution recognizes that each of us hopes for unity, but if there must be a parting, let it occur with loving thoughtfulness. It seeks to encourage us to, as it says in Ephesians, let bitterness, slander, wrath and anger be put away and let us speak the truth with one another for we are members of one body.
3. Purchase a New Episcopal Residence
Q: It is my understanding that mold is continuing to be an issue at the house of the camp director at Manidokan as well. Is the conference making plans to monitor conference houses?
A: While thankfully, the mold at the Manidokan residence wasn’t black mold, and the Conference Trustees are currently assessing the most prudent steps to take so that the Manidokan residence. They are also monitoring conference houses and are continuing to do all they can do deal with issues of mold in parsonages and other properties.
Q: Will the current residence go through improvements to be safe to live in and sell? Has CFA considered where the costs for buying a new house will come from?
A: The house has been remediated. The Conference will not sell a house that would not be safe for its residents. CFA is considering several options for funding, including the BWC lending the money to itself.
Q: Doesn’t the Jurisdictional or General Conference provide funds for episcopal residence purchases?
A: No, although they do provide some funding for maintenance and upkeep.
Q: Will disability access be a consideration when looking for a new episcopal residence?
A: Absolutely. Access to those with disabilities will be considered. Among other things, the Trustees are looking for a house with a first-level bedroom and bathroom.
10. Call us Back to Our Methodist Roots
Q: How will a return to our Methodist roots result in helping us confront current divisions?
A: According to the Rev. Deb. Scott, one of the makers of this resolution, United Methodists are a people of justice, grace, inclusion and reconciliation. This is our identity and if we truly embrace it, we might address the future differently.
11. Calling for an Adjourned/Special Session of Annual Conference
Q: Are there actually counter arguments against this? Why would anyone oppose this?
A: The Connectional Table voted non-concurrence with this resolution because the decision to call an adjourned session rests with the authority of the bishop. Members expressed the opinion that the bishop is aware of the need for conversation and learning, and that she would proceed as she deems appropriate.
Q: Can the special adjourned session be done electronically and live-streamed?
A: While it may be possible, the makers of this resolution feel this type of conversation and learning would best be done in person.
12. Representation of LGBTQIA+ Persons on Conference Commissions, Committees and Agencies
Q: How would this resolution work if we have known LGBTQIA+ on conference committees, given what was ruled on in February?
A: Lay people who are LGBTQIA can and do serve on committees. This has not changed. LGBTQIA pastors who are celibate could also serve on the committees.
Q: Are the LGBTQIA+ persons a recognized caucus of the UMC?
A: The Reconciling Ministries Network is a caucus of the UMC.
13. Conservation of Conference Ministry Funding
Q: Will this strictly prohibit funding investigations, trials, etc., or is this resolution merely expressing a desire or hope?
A: It is aspirational. It would not be in compliance with the Discipline if it were more directive and less aspirational.
14. Do No Harm through the Ordination Prohibition
Q: If resolution 14 passes, and if two of the candidates are not approved, will there be a time for clergy session to reconvene and reconsider their votes?
A: This is a legal and a process question and would have to be reviewed by the conference chancellor. It is also a hypothetical question, which makes it difficult to answer.
17. Use of Conference Funds to Support LGBTQIA+ Faithful and Their Allies
Q: How can a section of the Discipline be declared non-binding?
A: This resolution is aspirational in nature. That is, it expresses a hope for something the church can be in the future.
18. Affiliate with the Western Jurisdiction
Q: If we disaffiliate as a conference, how does that affect churches that don’t want to disaffiliate or are unhappy with that decision?
A: The Western Jurisdiction operates under a system similar to the One Church Plan, where every pastor and congregation choose their own stance on how to address LGBTQIA people. Nothing would be “mandated” to churches. Congregations and pastors could do ministry according to their context.
Q: Can an annual conference disaffiliate?
A: According to the Discipline, annual conferences must geographically border on other annual conferences in their jurisdictional areas. To join the Western Jurisdiction, the BWC would need to leave The United Methodist Church, become a new kind of entity, and then be picked up and welcomed as part of the Western Jurisdiction.
Q: What are the impacts on the structure of the BWC when it becomes disaffiliated? Will the bishop be removed? What are the costs of disaffiliation?
A: These are unchartered waters. We are seeking answers and understandings together as we move forward.
Q: What is the Western Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church?
A: The Western Jurisdiction is one of five Jurisdictional Conferences in the United States. It includes these conferences: Alaska Conference; California-Nevada Conference; California-Pacific Conference; Desert Southwest Conference; Mountain Sky Conference (Rocky Mountain and Yellowstone legacy conferences); Oregon-Idaho Conference; and the Pacific Northwest Conference.
Q: Is the Western Jurisdiction still a part of the UMC?
A: Yes.
19. Constitutionality of Discipline Paragraph 304.3
Q: We assume you had a consultation with the chancellor about this resolution. Do we not have a tradition of civil disobedience?
A: No. The chancellor has not been consulted. According to the Rev. Jackson Day, The United Methodist Church does have a practice of civil disobedience, but it’s usually directed to those outside the church, as we wish the world would behave in the good ways that the church does. Civil disobedience within the church, he said, is more complicated.
Other Questions
Q: How many churches have been planted since 2016? Are any in the planning stage in the next two years?
A: The BWC has started no new “brick and mortar” churches since 2016. They have created five new faith communities. An additional five could be planted in the next two years. It is important to remember that creating faith communities is not always a top-down initiative and does not always involve “brick and mortar.” Much of this work is accomplished at the grass-roots level by people in our local churches.
Q: Can those associated with Discipleship Report share more about any resources to help local churches share the Gospel in addition to the great outreach work being done?
A: We understand that outreach is a powerful evangelistic approach especially if one builds relationships as one meets needs. In the past year, acts of compassion and justice have served as catalysts for discipleship. Our annual youth retreat, ROCK, and Summer Camps are great resources for congregations interested in sharing the gospel as each results in professions of faith every year. In addition, during the coming year, a number of resources are planned to assist local churches in evangelism and discipleship resources.
Q: Have all the LGBTQIA resolutions been reviewed for legality?
A: The chancellor will rule on the legality as appropriate.
Q: Is it possible to say when specific resolutions or groups will come before annual conference?
A: The specific agenda will appear on the BWC website, but current plans call for resolutions to be considered on Thursday, May 30, and reports to be delivered Friday, May 31.
Q: What does “non-concurrence” mean?
A: Concurrence means agreement with; non-concurrence denotes disagreement. These notations from the Connectional Table are intended to assist members in the discernment process as they prepare to vote on the resolutions.